Preston North End Players Visit The Sir Tom Finney Foundation

Those that have been involved in PNE’s summer soccer school were given the opportunity to meet the players of Preston North End yesterday afternoon.

All summer, PNE’s community department have been hosting an array of courses for children aged between five to 14 years of age, with approximately 100 kids a day taking part over the summer holidays.

And to mark the end of the summer soccer school camp, the kids were treated by meeting their heroes as players took time out of their schedules to sign autographs, take photos and speak to the kids.

Sir Tom Finney Foundation Manager, Andy Haythornthwaite praised the players that were able to attend yesterday afternoon saying “We’ve got a great set of players here who are willing to contribute to the community as much as possible and they’re happy to come down for the kids.

“As part of the course, the kids have been given free tickets to some of the games so for them too meet the players that they see on the Saturday is brilliant for them.”

North End skipper John Welsh, and Bailey Wright also valued the importance of coming down to see the youngsters with Welsh adding “It’s great for us to mingle with the community – these could be potential fans of PNE so it’s great we can come in and put a smile on the kids’ faces and have a laugh with them.”

Wright continued “It’s all part of being a footballer - it’s nice to have a bit of fun, and it’s good to see the kids getting involved and enjoying it, and I’m sure they've enjoyed meeting everyone here today.”

Whilst signing autographs for the kids, striker Kevin Davies acknowledged that the children who he signed autographs for are in the same position as he was back in the day.

“We like to come back and spend a few minutes with them and have a chat with them,” said Davies

“We’ve all been in that position when we’ve all met our idols so it’s good that we can return the favour.”